Actor Business: Let’s Self-Promote!
The whole point of our actor “business” is to fully understand how to promote ourselves so thet we are in positions to be seen and then, ideally, be considered for roles.
So, as actors, what is our role in this business process? And what is our Agent’s role?
We really do count on our agent to promote us and to create audition activity for us.
BUT…
…as I’ve said for years, it’s nearly impossible for them to take 10% of your earnings and for you to expect they’re working for you 90% of the time.
Not a bad thing. It’s the reality
Don’t begrudge them. Let’s take some initiative!!
Understanding the Promotion Philosophy
First, let’s answer the questions which cause fear in our actor population:
- How do I promote myself?
- What is the best way to do so?
- How do I know I’m being seen?
- Is there a really good/bad time to self-promote?
First, this process can seem daunting. Though marketing is absolutely necessary for the advancement of our show business careers, it’s hard because it means putting ourselves out there in front of others.
How will we be received?
We never know. This is the same question we ask ourselves after we have an audition. If we did the best we could, with what we have, then it’s out of our hands.
With promotion, I can tell you the effort is necessary because all it takes is one call, one e-mail, one referral and…
…BOOM! Audition!
And that is a sale in our business.
Auditions.
These are opportunities to be seen by casting directors!
However, that is not the PRIMARY reason you promote yourself.
Your aim is to create awareness of YOU and how you as a product are compared to all the other products out there which all want to be seen by writers, producers, directors, ad agency people.
These are the people who are responsible for saying “yes or no” and writing the check. These are the legit players.
You always want to be sure you are getting a good effort from your representative, but it’s not always on them.
Be sure you do are doing some degree of intelligent promotion at all times!
Check out the Video…!!
I’m an advocate for shooting with a rifle, not a shotgun.
Take a moment to watch the video above with agent, David Ziff. He is someone who understands the concept of “promotion.”
On that, promotion is some version of the following:
- Snail Mail
- Phone
- Referral
- A REAL referral
- In-person
- Social media
Again, it’s not just what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s not what you say. It’s how you say it.
It’s not that you just send something, it’s how you send it and what you say in it.
It’s not that you just make a phone call or walk into someone’s office, it’s how you conduct yourself when you do it.
What I’ll emphasize more and more, is how much you can’t control timing when it comes to promotion — but how much timing does matter.
But do not be intimidated.
I repeat again.
There are TWO reasons to do this:
- Increase your awareness of the players in this space.
- Increase your actor activity
Never Stop Promoting!
Look at me.
I know VERY WELL that I look like 20-25 other Caucasian performers right here in Los Angeles.
So, why bother with self-promotion?
I bother with it when I get cast. When I’m booked as a guest-star on a TV show, I let people know.
I want them to know… that I’m CASTABLE!
Promotion takes on many forms in our arena.
When you’re first starting out, it’s the push to be seen and then once you start booking work there’s nothing wrong with thanking and reminding those who helped you along the way — and those you’re yet to work with.
Promotion…
…is your job.
Within it, you will create a “target” list. A list of people that you’ve never met.
They’re strangers…
…but you want to make anyone on that list aware OF YOU.
Again, you’re not wandering off the reservation without consulting your agent, but you DEFINITELY need to supplement your representative’s efforts.
Times have changed. Your efforts to advance your career need to be targeted because today, all of us actors are dealing with hundreds and hundreds of entities in casting and production.
Well…
…that product has to be promoted because there is a very REAL supply and demand.
The keys to promotion are planning and execution with THE consistent repetition of these two things!
Now with social media, promotion has rocketed to levels never before seen and this can be so beneficial for all of us.
For many, they‘ve become numb to it.
However, in defense of social media, its really no different than the number of spam emails and texts that also take over your space.
Consider the other side of your actor pursuit…
Here in Los Angeles, commercial casting directors get between 500-1500 submissions per role for a commercial that might have six or seven roles…
That is a lot of promotion coming from representatives!!
You’re now asking casting to wade through thousands of headshots in 24-36 hours to meet production’s deadline.
Please…
They’re not going through them all. That’s the deal. Keep promoting. Make your auditions memorable. Maybe then are considered despite the overwhelming odds to the contrary!